Shifting Conceptions of Nature in Toronto: A Comparative Study of High Park and Rouge Park

Since their inception, parks have constantly been evolving and reflect social change. Beginning as gardens in the 18th Century to becoming a means to escape the harsh conditions of the city in the 19th Century, parks have now turned into the equivalent of the backyards of city dwellers. In this research paper, High Park and Rouge Park are used as case studies to answer the following question: What is the aesthetic shift of parks and green spaces in Toronto? This paper approaches the topic by examining environmental aesthetics of natural landscapes, post-colonial aesthetic imprint on parks, changing demographics, ecological awareness of natural landscapes, aesthetic justice in parks and, culturally entangled aesthetic values.With the use of first-hand accounts and perceptions of those in knowledge-based and decision-making positions, this research finds that the emerging natural park is the new face of urban parks

Criminal Liability by the Pharmaceutical Industry on the Use of Precursors for Illicit Narcotics in Indonesia: A Review

Purpose of the study: the aim of this study was to review the law enforcement regarding precursors for manufacturing narcotic drugs in Indonesia. Methodology: This study used normative legal research, which used the law as positive norms that regulates human life, it used several approaches, that were examined various rules of law as well as case approach. The data was collected through literature studies. Main Findings and Applications of this Study: In Indonesia, the highest regulation in the crime of narcotics is based on the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics. The aims of this regulation are to protect the public from precursor’s abuse to narcotics; preventing and eradicating illicit traffic of precursors of narcotics; as well as preventing leaks and irregularities. Novelty: The pharmaceutical industry as a legal entity has the possibility to conduct criminal action such as using precursor for illicit narcotic and if it is proved to be in violation, it will be punished. Furthermore, it requires integration by involving national, regional and international coordination to prevent this criminal liabilit

The \u27Healthy Parks-Healthy People\u27 Movement in Canada: Progress, Challenges, and an Emerging Knowledge and Action Agenda

In this article, we outline progress and challenges in establishing effective health promotion tied to visitor experiences provided by protected and conserved areas in Canada. Despite an expanding global evidence base, case studies focused on aspects of health and well-being within Canada’s protected and conserved areas remain limited. Data pertaining to motivations, barriers and experiences of visitors are often not collected by governing agencies and, if collected, are not made generally available or reported on. There is an obvious, large gap in research and action focused on the needs and rights of groups facing systemic barriers related to a variety of issues including, but not limited to, access, nature experiences, and needs with respect to health and well-being outcomes. Activation of programmes at the site level continue to grow, and Park Prescription programmes, as well as changes to the Accessible Canada Act, represent significant, positive examples of recent cross-sector policy integration. Evaluations of outcomes associated with HPHP programmes have not yet occurred but will be important to adapting interventions and informing cross-sector capacity building. We conclude by providing an overview of gaps in evidence and practice that, if addressed, can lead to more effective human health promotion vis-à-vis nature contact in protected and conserved areas in Canada

Effects of Renin–Angiotensin Blockade on the Components of Early Interstitial Expansion in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

Interstitial expansion is associated with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) loss in many renal diseases, including diabetic nephropathy. The Renin–Angiotensin System Study (RASS) tested whether a 5-year renin–angiotensin system (RAS) blockade with enalapril or losartan versus placebo slowed progression of early diabetic nephropathy lesions in 285 normoalbuminuric, normotensive, normal/high GFR patients with type 1 diabetes. RASS found no benefit to the RAS blockade on diabetic glomerular lesions but observed an unexpected 50% increase in the fractional volume of the renal cortex which is the interstitium. The effects of the RAS blockade on individual interstitial components––striated collagen, interstitial cells, and peritubular capillaries––were not assessed. We evaluated by electron microscopy changes in fractional volume of each component in seven patients from each group between baseline and five years. At baseline, 49% of the interstitium was collagen, 12% cells, 26% peritubular capillaries, 7% space, and 2% artifact. There was no overall change in the interstitial composition during the RASS. There were no statistically significant effects of treatment group on any interstitial components. Renal volume remained stable in all groups. The RAS blockade affected neither the approximately 50% increase in interstitium fractional volume per cortex nor the parallel increase in all interstitial components that occurred over the five years of the RASS

Proposing an algorithm for UAVs interoperability: MAVLink to STANAG 4586 for securing communication

Recently, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles has become increased rapidly in both civilian and military applications. With the increased popularity and wide range of applications, these systems’ global manufacturer market has also been improved. UAVs play a vital role in modern warfares, and the country with this technology has many advantages over its enemies. A typical UAV interacts typically with a ground control station or a control station with different communication protocols. Among these protocols, an open-source protocol, MAVLink, is the most common and widely used protocol in the private sector. Despite being most commonly used, this protocol is weak, insecure communication. For military UAVs, the protocols and standards are generally different, and they are not openly available. NATO countries use such a protocol to agree on a standard protocol called STANAG (Standard and Agreement) 4586 for unmanned aerial vehicles. While other countries show interest in buying military UAVs, they need to upgrade their existing UAVs or ground control stations to be compatible with the standards. This paper proposes a communication bridge between MAVLink and STANAG 4586 to interoperate like AV Rodrigues et al. proposed. Additionally, this work will make the STANAG 4586 compliant GCSs operate with MAVLink supported UAVs more securely using our proposed algorithm to secure the MAVLink communication

Assessment of bacteria and water quality parameters in cage cultured Pangasius hypophthalmus in Temerloh, Pahang River, Malaysia

Pangasius hypophthalmus or famously known by local Malaysians as Patin Hitam is one of the most important sources of food in Malaysia. It is widely cultured in the Peninsular Malaysia especially in Pahang as Patin and is a popularly consumed freshwater fish. Global economic interest in the fish has increased its demand in the USA and Europe. However, high mortality due to bacterial and viral infections is the main problem that needs to be solved. Therefore, bacteria in P. hypophthalmus in Pahang is being focused with the factors connected to the prevalence of bacteria and virus in P. hypophthalmus. This research was conducted for two cycles (February-September 2016 and January-August 2017) in different farms in Temerloh, Pahang. Bacteria and virus samples were taken from three organs of Patin Hitam which are kidney, liver and spleen. Physical parameters for water quality were measured using a multiparameter probe sensor (YSI, USA) and chemical parameters were analysed with DR900 colorimeter (Hach, USA). Bacteria samples were identified using biochemical test kits, API 20NE and 20E, followed by confirmation of the bacteria using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Virus samples were identified using conventional PCR. There are several bacteria isolated throughout the culture period. The highest prevalence of Aeromonas hydrophila in Temerloh in the first cycle was in May 2016 (40%), however, was equally evident in four out of the seven months of the second cycle, which was in April, May, June and July 2017 (20%). There was a relationship between the prevalence of A. hydrophila and iron, nitrite and pH in the first cycle in Temerloh. However, there was no relationship in the second cycle. Significantly, these results could contribute to better treatment of fish disease and development of standard operating procedure of future fish culture for early disease prevention